Alternator - Regulator Question

[Caribsailors]

Hello All,
My darlins BMW required a new alternator because of noisy bearings. I was lucky enough to get the old one back and able to replace the bearings myself......so now I have a 140amp Bosch alternator I'd like to replace my 60 amp with.

My question relates to regulators/charge controllers, along the line of Balmar & Ample Power and alternator combination's

Could anyone share some past experience with a somewhat similar combination.

Thanks for your thoughts

Cheers

[bmartinsen]

I used a Balmar for years with the old engine. 90 amp worked real good. Only thing left from old engine, one day it will get it mounted on the new engine. I think I still have the manuals if you want a look. ttyl

[Albro359]

That BMW alternator probably has an automotive regulator in it that just regs at 14.4 VDC...forever...

You need to get an auto electrician to take that reg out and use an external programmable reg from Balmar or Xantrex ..or....there's lots out there...

Auto alts only need to charge a slightly discharged start battery

Marine alts need to to do that too, BUT also charge up a fairly depleted house bank everyday...which requires a bit more intelligence, if your batts are going to last the distance...

There are lots of threads on here about that...but contact me directly if you need advice...

All the best

Alan

[MJWEENZ]

One of our members, Maine Sail, has an excellent website on converting an alternator to external regulation. Leece-Neville 8MR Series Alternator External Regulation Conversion Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com
Mike
s/v Fair Wind

[CharlieJ]

As stated above, most automotive alternators are meant to only top off a slightly depleted battery. The implication from this is that, when pressed into a heavier duty cycle than they were designed for, the diodes may fail from consistently higher operating temperatures.

[Caribsailors]

Thank you all for your replies.

I got the information I required. Now I'll open the alternator up again and remove the regulator and do some creative wiring. (Electrician's my first trade)

Cheers